Regret Came Too Late (Grace and Ethan)

Yancey's lips curled slightly before he pulled Alice into his arms like he was showing off.

"Alice, get in first."

Alice slid into the front passenger seat, and Yancey even leaned in to fasten her seatbelt for her.

After shutting the door, he turned to Grace and jerked his chin toward the back seat. "Get in already. Don't keep my mom waiting."

Grace didn't even acknowledge him. She pulled out her phone, called a car repair service, and requested a tire replacement. Then, without a word, she walked off toward the main road to hail a cab.noveldrama

Yancey stiffened when he saw her ignore his car, and he attempted to chase after her. But before he could say anything, Alice rolled down the window.

"Yancey..." she called softly.

That single word stopped him in his tracks.

He hesitated, then suddenly realized that Grace was throwing a fit. She must have been upset because Alice was sitting in the front passenger seat.

Grace had once said that only she could sit in the front passenger seat. But after Alice came into the picture, that rule had been completely erased.

Yancey clenched his jaw, got into the car, and slammed the door shut. Frustration burned in his chest as he floored the gas pedal.

As he sped past, his gaze involuntarily flickered to the side, catching sight of Grace standing at the curb, waiting for a cab. He couldn't help but stare at her as his grip tightened on the phone.

Beside him, Alice's face twisted with irritation. She pressed her lips together and hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Yancey, maybe we should pick her up. Otherwise, it might be hard to explain things to your mom later."

Her words gave him the excuse he had been looking for. He had wanted to say something to Grace but had been too proud to admit it. Now that Alice had suggested it, he reached for the window controls, ready to call out to her.

But Alice let out a small sigh and said, "But she did message me today. I don't know if it was just to make sure I'd see you two together..."

With that, Yancey stepped on the gas and sped away.

Alice was right. There was no way Grace didn't care about him. She was even willing to jump off a building for him. She couldn't possibly stop loving him just like that.

He couldn't fall for her tricks.

Alice glanced into the side mirror, watching Grace's figure recede into the distance. But even as the car sped away, she felt restless. Her hands curled into fists, and she pulled out her phone to send Sloan a quick message.

"Sloan, I think Yancey really has feelings for Grace. What should I do?"

The message was crafted perfectly for an egotistical man like Sloan. It was as if she were a damsel in distress waiting for a hero to save her.

He had been in contact with Hendricks. Without hesitation, he called him up.

"Hendricks, Grace is going to your sister's place for dinner tonight. What are you waiting for?"

Hendricks had already been stewing in frustration. Hearing this, he immediately grabbed his keys and headed out.

Lily had always sided with him. Even if he stirred up trouble, she would protect him.

Last time, Grace had made a fool out of him. This time, he was going to make sure she paid for it.

Grace stood in front of the mansion, staring at it with a int sense of familiarity. She stepped forward and rang the doorbell. A housekeeper answered the door.

From inside, she could already hear Alice speaking sweetly to Lily.

"Mrs. Henderson, it's been two months, and you look even younger. I brought you some tea. Yancey said it's your favorite."

"Alice, you've always been so sweet."

The two of them went back and forth, chatting as if they were already family.

Grace stood at the door and handed her gift to the housekeeper.

The housekeeper rolled her eyes, took the box, and immediately started

rummaging through it.

"Ms. Grace, you missed out on something this time. Where's that scented candle I like?"

Grace blinked, thinking she had misheard.

The housekeeper continued searching for another two minutes. When she confirmed it wasn't there, her expression darkened.

"You'd always buy one for me. You haven't been here for months, and I've used up my last candle. Did you forget? That scent has to be pre-ordered. You're getting careless."

Her upset and dissatisfied tone made Grace chuckle. "Are you seriously talking to me?"

The housekeeper frowned, then casually set the box aside. "Who else? Never mind, I can't be bothered. You can't even remember something so small. Just go in already."

Grace slowly walked inside and then turned to Lily with a polite smile.

"Mrs. Henderson, did I really used to bring gifts for the housekeeper? I had a car accident and hit my head, so I don't remember. But I wasn't expecting to get scolded the moment I arrived."

Lily finally seemed to notice her and quickly responded, "You were always thoughtful. You did bring something every time. But what's this about a car accident? Was it serious? Come here, let me take a look."

Grace's gaze darkened. She had meant for Lily to reprimand the housekeeper. After all, outright demanding gifts from a guest was beyond rude.

But Lily brushed past it so casually without the slightest intention of standing up for her.

Grace sat down, deliberately choosing a seat that wasn't too close but wasn't too far either.

Lily raised an eyebrow, surprised. Grace used to sit as close as possible, eager to gain her favor. This time, there was a clear distance between them.

Grace, who was sitting with the perfect posture, suddenly lost interest in making conversation. She had already figured out where she stood with Lily.

Sensing the awkwardness, Lily quickly turned to the housekeeper. "What are you standing around for? Go bring some tea."

The housekeeper grabbed Grace's wrist without hesitation.

"Ms. Grace, come with me. You know better than anyone how Yancey likes his

tea. And Mrs. Henderson prefers it when you brew it."